Editorial: Elwood Staffing continues to be great benefit

What began as an idea for a staffing company has grown into something much larger and quite beneficial to the Columbus community.

The fact that Elwood Staffing earned the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce’s Company of the Year Award speaks volumes to its success and impact.

The company, launched as a consulting firm in 1980 by David L. Elwood, has grown into a family-run international staffing company that includes his three sons: Mark, chief executive officer; John, president; and Michael, president of Elwood Professional.

Elwood Staffing, which has expanded through acquisitions of other companies, has experienced dramatic growth in the last eight years.

After never exceeding $125,000 in revenue through 1993, and not reaching $1 million until 1996, the company has skyrocketed from $125 million in revenue in 2006 to about $800 million last year. Elwood Staffing is projected to reach $1 billion in sales in 2015.

The company is one of the 20 largest staffing companies in the United States, with more than 230 locations in 33 states and Canada, and about 1,000 employees.

Despite that massive growth, the company has stuck to its roots in Columbus. Its headquarters have remained on Central Avenue since opening in 2003. The company chose a location on 25th Street for its staffing site.

Equally important, Elwood executives have committed their time, skills and resources to supporting community organizations such as the Columbus Parks Foundation, IUPUC and Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

That’s a great benefit to the community, much like Cummins Inc., a worldwide engine and power systems maker, which has kept its global headquarters in Columbus and directs a substantial amount of philanthropy here. Arvin Industries used to be like that, too, until its demise last decade.

Seeing another local company grow substantially yet remain rooted in Columbus is a healthy sign for the community.